Don't fall into the trap! Trick questions used during job interviews

Times have changed and so have our careers and how we land a job. The specialization of HR managers in companies is so great that in many cases they look for surprising ways to assess their applicants.

One of the ways interviews have changed is trick questions. Questions that, beyond the answer given, reveal important elements such as responsiveness, reaction to something unknown or the way in which things are approached. But what are these trick questions? We present some of the most curious ones.

While adding little information to the interview, this question can help reassure the candidate while learning about their self-image.

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This question is designed to measure spontaneity, sincerity, and the ability to extricate oneself from compromising situations. It can also provide information about the applicant's life that was not discussed in the interview.

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This far-fetched question requires creativity and the ability to synthesize. For example, if you decide on the title of a well-known book, it can lead to further conversations in this direction.

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Usually, the character chosen by the candidate is someone he or she admires, so several candidates can be eliminated.

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This question allows recruiters to find out what things the applicant places the most importance on and encourage them to defend their point of view, whether they choose something practical and useful for the island or something personal and emotional.

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If the candidate chooses hunter, recruiters know that they are a leader and an ambitious person. If they choose gatherer, then the candidate is someone who prefers teamwork and is a hard worker.

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When profiling the applicant, reference to past memories may provide more reliable and honest information than current information.

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This question shows if the candidate is honest  towards their superior. Suggesting a question is a way to challenge the interviewer's work, but it also shows that the candidate is in control of certain stressful situations.

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The honesty of the applicant is required here, as is their commitment to the company.

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An extremely stressful situation that demonstrates the applicant's sincerity and response to the possibility of a superior evaluation.

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Responsiveness, logic and analytical skills, all in a tense and uncomfortable atmosphere. How should you answer? It is important to know that the angle formed is 7.5°.

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A surprising question? Yes, and very complicated. The question aims to take the applicant out of their comfort zone, make them think and test their responsiveness. By the way: in 2021, global consumption was 23.6 billion liters, but of course the interviewer does not expect you to name this number.

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In this case, there is no right or wrong answer. It's about seeing the candidate defend their point of view on a topic far removed from the main topic of the interview, unless it's a NASA interview.

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Another difficult question to answer, but one that requires imagination, improvisation, and some analytical ability - all in a limited amount of time and in an environment that is suboptimal for thorough analysis.

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This question aims to analyze the candidate's behavioral patterns and find out whether their personality fits the culture of the company and the team. There is no right answer, just be honest.

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Be careful with this question, because if you answer "yes," the next question is usually about telling a joke. Better be prepared.

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This question is usually asked at the end of the interview, when the atmosphere is more relaxed to get to know the true nature of the candidate and their storytelling style along the way. Beware of crazy memories and anecdotes that in many cases have cost people jobs.

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Improvisation, the ability to respond to a problem, all under the pressure of an interlocutor looking you in the eye. The solution? Take a deep breath, pause and think about what you would really do in this situation.

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Willy-nilly, this question has an answer, and it's 20. When the job involves numbers, accounting, etc., it's logical that you'd be put to the test. There is no trick here, the answer can only be right or wrong.

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It is, of course, almost impossible to memorize Act III of Macbeth. The recruiter looks for the reaction to the impossible, how to free oneself from it and justify it. One of the best ways is to take it with humor and quick wit. "I haven't memorized that act, but I could offer you 'Romeo and Juliet'. But I'd have to listen to the whole play first."

(Photo: Unsplash - Erik McLean)